The Naples campus of Ave Maria School of Law is the institution's sole location, dedicated to delivering a comprehensive Juris Doctor (JD) program infused with the Catholic intellectual tradition. This campus emphasizes professional excellence, moral foundations of law, and practical skills, preparing students to practice law with integrity and a commitment to justice. The 90-credit-hour curriculum uniquely integrates natural law principles, ethics, and Catholic social teachings into core legal studies, distinguishing it from traditional law schools.
- Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure: Foundational courses on litigation processes and constitutional protections in criminal justice.
- Contracts and Business Organizations: Essential training in commercial transactions, corporate governance, and business law synthesis.
- Torts and Property: Analysis of civil wrongs, negligence, intentional torts, real estate law, and land use.
- Constitutional Law and Fourteenth Amendment: In-depth study of U.S. Constitution, equal protection, due process, and human rights from a moral perspective.
- Evidence and Professional Responsibility: Rules of evidence, trial advocacy, ethical duties, and professional conduct.
- Criminal Law: Substantive crimes, defenses, and policy issues including capital punishment and restorative justice.
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates: Estate planning, probate, and family wealth transfer.
- Moral Foundations of the Law and Jurisprudence: Core courses exploring natural law, legal philosophy, and Catholic teachings on justice.
- Bioethics, Religious Freedom, and Protection of Human Life: Specialized electives addressing life issues, religious liberty, and public policy.
- Experiential Learning: Clinics, externships, simulations, Trial Advocacy, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Florida Legal Practice for hands-on skills.
- Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research (LAWR): Multi-year sequence building research, writing, and analytical prowess.
This curriculum fosters lawyers equipped to navigate complex legal challenges while upholding ethical standards and serving the common good.
